scholarly journals Analysis of Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Using Enogen Corn in Beef Cattle Rations

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2916
Author(s):  
Marty Matlock ◽  
Martin Christie ◽  
Greg Thoma
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Full Field ◽  
Percent Improvement

Agricultural production systems have been identified as significant sources of anthropogenic impacts across several environmental key performance indicators (KPIs). Livestock husbandry is growing in global importance as the demand for high-quality protein continues to increase. It is therefore imperative to have sustainable intensification technologies, and we describe one such technology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of Enogen® corn grain compared to conventional feed corn when used as an ingredient in backgrounding and feed yard beef rations using life cycle assessment. The project was conducted in compliance with ISO standards, including a third-party panel review. A series of scenarios were analyzed to evaluate the impacts of boundaries and functional units on the outcomes. The use of Enogen corn as a feed component in beef production showed a quantifiable benefit in terms of the sustainability metrics of primary interest in this study. The gate-to-gate improvements at the feed yard and backgrounding based on full field trial datasets from field trials conducted at Kansas State University and at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln showed 3.4 and 5.8 percent reductions in Global Warming Potential, respectively. It is particularly noteworthy that the improvement in feed conversion ratio at the feed yard results in approximately 6 percent improvement in the four key environmental performance metrics of beef production, which demonstrates potential for the sector to meet its sustainability targets.

Life cycle environmental consequences of grass-fed and dairy beef production systems in the Northeastern United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 1619-1628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole E. Tichenor ◽  
Christian J. Peters ◽  
Gregory A. Norris ◽  
Greg Thoma ◽  
Timothy S. Griffin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Northeastern United States ◽  
Environmental Consequences

Effects of calf- and yearling-fed beef production systems and growth promotants on production and profitability

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Óscar López-Campos ◽  
Jennifer L. Aalhus ◽  
Erasmus K. Okine ◽  
Vern S. Baron ◽  
John A. Basarab
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Adrenergic Agonist ◽  
Growth Implants ◽  
Quality Grade ◽  
Reduce Risk ◽  
Growth Promotants ◽  
Growth Implant

López-Campos, Ó., Aalhus, J. L., Okine, E. K., Baron, V. S. and Basarab, J. A. 2013. Effects of calf- and yearling-fed beef production systems and growth promotants on production and profitability. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 171–184. In each of 2 yr, 112 spring-born steers were used to evaluate the effect of calf-fed vs. yearling-fed with and without growth implant and β-adrenergic agonist on production parameters and economic potential. Steers were grouped into: (1) non-implanted feeders harvested at 11–14 mo of age, (2) growth implanted feeders harvested at 11–14 mo of age, (3) non-implanted feeders harvested at 19–23 mo of age, and (4) growth implanted feeders harvested at 19–23 mo of age. Production data were collected and economic evaluation was performed. Calf-fed steers grew slower (1.21 vs. 1.99±0.07 kg d−1) and had a poorer feed conversion ratio [5.32 vs. 4.99±0.34 kg dry matter intake (DMI) kg−1 gain] during the feedlot dietary adjustment period than yearling-fed. Calf-fed steers were more efficient than yearling-fed during the first 76–83 d (5.16 vs. 7.33±0.11 kg DMI kg−1 gain) and latter 48–79 d (5.69 vs. 14.28±1.50 kg DMI kg−1 gain) of the finishing period. Implanted steers were more efficient than non-implanted during the dietary feedlot adjustment period (4.80 vs. 5.52±0.15 kg DMI kg−1 gain), and during the first 76–83 d (6.05 vs. 6.44±0.11 kg DMI kg−1 gain) and latter 48–79 d of the finishing period (9.29 vs. 10.69±1.50 kg DMI kg−1 gain). Implanted steers grew 11.4–19.6% faster than non-implanted throughout the finishing period, while yearling-fed grew 11.1–12.9% faster during the first 76–83 d, but 49.1–64.4% slower during the last 48–79 d of the finishing period compared with calf-fed. Quality grade was improved for non-implanted steers, with 43.6% of yearling-fed and 35.7% calf-fed steers grading AAA. Adjusted net return was best for calf-fed implanted ($17.52 head−1), followed by calf-fed non-implanted ($−41.92 head−1), yearling-fed implanted ($−73.77 head−1), and yearling-fed non-implanted ($−99.65 head−1) production strategies. The results of the present study suggest that reducing age at slaughter combined with growth implant can increase profit and reduce risk, but growth implants can negatively affect the carcass quality.

Calcium Naphthenates in Complex Production Systems - Evaluation and Chemical Inhibition Challenges

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A.. A. Nichols ◽  
F.F.. F. Rosário ◽  
M.C.M.. C.M. Bezerra ◽  
S.E.. E. Gorringe ◽  
H.L.. L. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Full Field ◽  
Bicarbonate Ions ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Field Deployment

Abstract Over the last 15 years, much research and many field application studies have led to considerable improvement in our understanding of the formation and mitigation of calcium naphthenate deposits. In this field example, calcium naphthenates and stable emulsions are formed following mixing of fluids from different reservoir formations on a single FPSO. High TAN crudes containing low levels of ARN produce with low calcium formation waters whereas low TAN crudes are associated with high calcium formation waters. Mixing of these two systems has led to calcium naphthenate deposition and associated problems with its removal. This paper outlines the challenges in this complex deepwater subsea production system and the interpretation of the cause of the deposit. A series of laboratory tests using a specialised flow rig were conducted to illustrate the effects of mixing different fluids and identify those mixtures with the largest naphthenate potential. The work further illustrates the effect of bicarbonate ions on the system. Laboratory tests at low levels of bicarbonate (to prevent carbonate scaling at separator conditions) do not result in calcium naphthenate formation when mixing the high TAN crude with the current produced brine (moderate calcium). Naphthenates only formed when mixing with the high calcium brine. When bicarbonate is included at full field levels (in the presence of a scale inhibitor) significant calcium naphthenate formation is recorded with the lower calcium brines. The effect of CO2 within the produced fluids has also been evaluated. The paper describes how several variables contribute to the likelihood of calcium naphthenate deposition and presents results from several naphthenate formation and inhibition tests covering a range of fluid compositions and mixtures. Chemical qualification in the lab using the worst case fluid mixtures has been conducted to select a calcium naphthenate inhibitor for field deployment. Field trials demonstrate both the effectiveness of the treatments and also the qualification exercise conducted for this field. The results further indicate the complexity of accurately predicting a calcium naphthenate risk while illustrating that, even under challenging conditions, chemical inhibitors are effective in this system.

scholarly journals Life cycle assessment of pasture-based suckler steer weanling-to-beef production systems: Effect of breed and slaughter age

animal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 100247
Author(s):  
J. Herron ◽  
T.P. Curran ◽  
A.P. Moloney ◽  
M. McGee ◽  
E.G. O'Riordan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Slaughter Age

scholarly journals Environmental Sustainability in Beef Production and Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool for Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-25
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Presumido ◽  
Fernando Sousa ◽  
Artur Gonçalves ◽  
Tatiane Cristina Dal Bosco ◽  
Manuel Feliciano
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Conservation Of Natural Resources ◽  
Intuitive Method ◽  
The Impact

The sustainability of meat production systems has been highlighted by the impact on the environment and the conservation of natural resources. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a specific review of the environmental sustainability of beef production in a life cycle assessment (LCA) context. Questions about the main environmental impacts caused by beef production were discussed. The phases of the LCA were detailed as well as the main functional units, boundaries of the systems and categories of impacts used in recent studies. LCA is a fast, easy and intuitive method that correlates human activities and their environmental performance in different sectors, such as beef production.

Environmental impacts of extensive and intensive beef production systems in Thailand evaluated by life cycle assessment

2016 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akifumi Ogino ◽  
Kritapon Sommart ◽  
Sayan Subepang ◽  
Makoto Mitsumori ◽  
Keisuke Hayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Production

scholarly journals Comparing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Salmonid Aquaculture Production Systems: Status and Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaspard Philis ◽  
Friederike Ziegler ◽  
Lars Christian Gansel ◽  
Mona Dverdal Jansen ◽  
Erik Olav Gracey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Production Technologies

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector worldwide, mostly driven by a steadily increasing protein demand. In response to growing ecological concerns, life cycle assessment (LCA) emerged as a key environmental tool to measure the impacts of various production systems, including aquaculture. In this review, we focused on farmed salmonids to perform an in-depth analysis, investigating methodologies and comparing results of LCA studies of this finfish family in relation to species and production technologies. Identifying the environmental strengths and weaknesses of salmonid production technologies is central to ensure that industrial actors and policymakers make informed choices to take the production of this important marine livestock to a more sustainable path. Three critical aspects of salmonid LCAs were studied based on 24 articles and reports: (1) Methodological application, (2) construction of inventories, and (3) comparison of production technologies across studies. Our first assessment provides an overview and compares important methodological choices. The second analysis maps the main foreground and background data sources, as well as the state of process inclusion and exclusion. In the third section, a first attempt to compare life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) data across production technologies was conducted using a single factor statistical protocol. Overall, findings suggested a lack of methodological completeness and reporting in the literature and demonstrated that inventories suffered from incomplete description and partial disclosure. Our attempt to compare LCA results across studies was challenging due to confounding factors and poor data availability, but useful as a first step in highlighting the importance of production technology for salmonids. In groups where the data was robust enough for statistical comparison, both differences and mean equalities were identified, allowing ranking of technology clusters based on their average scores. We statistically demonstrated that sea-based systems outperform land-based technology in terms of energy demand and that sea-based systems have a generally higher FCR than land-based ones. Cross-study analytics also strongly suggest that open systems generate on average more eutrophying emissions than closed designs. We further discuss how to overcome bottlenecks currently hampering such LCA meta-analysis. Arguments are made in favor of further developing cross-study LCA analysis, particularly by increasing the number of salmonid LCA available (to improve sample sizes) and by reforming in-depth LCA practices to enable full reproducibility and greater access to inventory data.

scholarly journals Sustainable Application of Livestock Water Footprints in Different Beef Production Systems of South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9921
Author(s):  
Ayanda M. Ngxumeshe ◽  
Motshekwe Ratsaka ◽  
Bohani Mtileni ◽  
Khathutshelo Nephawe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Composition ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Reduced Activity ◽  
Intensive System

There is an increase in requirement and competition for water, while water resources are decreasing at an accelerating rate. Agriculture is the biggest consumer of water and therefore has the largest water footprint, which is not yet known. The largest portion is acknowledged to be for producing animal products. Water footprints account for the amounts of water used to produce a commodity for consumption, measured along the commodity life cycle. Water withdrawals from surface and groundwater are accounted for when assessing the water footprint. The three identified major determinants of a water footprint of meat include feed conversion efficiency (FCE), feed composition, and feed origin, with the first two being influenced greatly by the animal production system. In South Africa (SA), the two distinct production systems are the intensive and extensive production systems. Intensifying beef animals improves FCE due to faster growths per kg feed consumed, reduced activity, and therefore reduced water footprint. Beef cattle in the extensive system consume a large component of roughages, while the intensive system has a high concentrate to roughage ratio. This theoretically increases the water footprint in the intensive system. The literature indicates large amounts of volumetric water footprint indicators of boneless beef in SA. Water footprint assessment is critical for enabling consumers to make well-informed and sound decisions when considering changes in their behavior due to the effect this has on social, economic, and environmental wellbeing. This paper aims to postulate the various issues associated with water usage in beef production. These include factors affecting the water footprint of beef production and the effects it has on various aspects of both the environment and social wellbeing. It further explores the various methods to assess the water footprint of a product.

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